Among the many many hugs, the strongest got here from his father, Carlos. Sainz’s farewell to Ferrari is a high-profile one, very totally different from Kimi Raikkonen’s departure in 2019 or Sebastian Vettel’s a 12 months later. In each instances, the story was successfully over, because the stopwatch and even the drivers’ motivations revealed. In Sainz’s case, there’s no signal of decline; his story is one which has merely been interrupted. In a super world, Ferrari would discipline three vehicles subsequent season, the one solution to reconcile the legitimate causes for signing Lewis Hamilton with what the monitor has demonstrated about Sainz’s worth.
However there are solely two vehicles, leaving a bitter aftertaste. In 2021, Carlos arrived in Maranello with two podiums and lots of query marks; 4 years later, he leaves as a stable skilled with all the pieces wanted to safe a spot in a high workforce. Essentially the most jarring facet of Carlos Sainz’s 2024 isn’t a lot his separation from Ferrari, in the end justified by the caliber of his alternative, however reasonably the “no, thanks” responses from Crimson Bull, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. These groups most well-liked two younger drivers (Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli) and an over-40, Fernando Alonso, who just lately signed a two-year extension, holding him in F1 till age 45. This state of affairs pressured Carlos Sainz to affix Williams, at the least briefly stepping out of the circle of drivers competing for podiums.
On Sunday at Yas Marina, Carlos saved his feelings about his final day in pink to himself, efficiently concealing them—or so it appeared. “Did I get emotional? Perhaps, however you received’t know. Maybe whereas I used to be below the helmet, maybe within the minutes earlier than the beginning, or maybe on the cooldown lap after the checkered flag. You’ll most likely by no means know, however I can inform you… sure, there was a second once I acquired emotional, however I’m holding it for myself and my workforce.”
“Perhaps I’m performing slightly,” Carlos continued with a smile, “I might need discovered it from Brad Pitt this weekend! However truthfully, I can say that so long as there’s work to be performed, the mind doesn’t permit you to be emotional; competitiveness takes over. Nevertheless, there have been moments right this moment once I felt emotional, and happily, you couldn’t see it.”
After the race, throughout his remaining press convention in a Ferrari go well with, Sainz managed his feelings completely, reflecting on his time at Maranello. “I really feel very pleased with my interval at Ferrari. Over 4 years, I consider I’ve helped carry this workforce again to the place it belongs—combating for world championships. Sadly, we didn’t handle it this 12 months, however I really feel Ferrari is prepared and will likely be one of many favorites initially of the 2025 season.”
“I’m pleased with what I’ve achieved over 4 seasons, however particularly of this final championship. It was mentally very robust for me; it wasn’t straightforward to maintain the motivation and willpower wanted to at all times push to the utmost. We’ve seen that it’s not straightforward for any driver in my state of affairs to keep up a superb stage of focus all year long, however I managed to do it.”
Because it ought to have been, Carlos Sainz concluded his remaining Grand Prix as a Ferrari driver by stepping onto the rostrum. Carlos is conscious that his subsequent trophy may take a very long time to come back, however he has accounted for this chance. “I definitely can’t know what the longer term holds for me, nor can I predict how lengthy it’ll take Williams to combat for a podium place. What I can affirm is that I’m extra decided than ever to carry Williams again to the place it belongs. However right this moment, it’s unattainable to understand how lengthy it’ll take. I do know considered one of my strengths helps a workforce obtain higher performances and understanding which instructions to observe.”
In his remaining press convention in pink overalls, Carlos was joined by Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, two former teammates. Once they have been requested if they might miss Carlos Sainz’s presence within the combat for high positions subsequent 12 months, a humorous change unfolded. “Sure, I’ll miss Carlos,” Lando Norris remarked, solely to be interrupted by Carlos Sainz: “I don’t assume you’ll miss me; inform the reality, you assume it’s higher this manner.”
In the long run, Lando admitted with a smile: “Properly, it’s one much less formidable and quick opponent; it’s higher that he’s not in a quick car!” Then Norris grew to become severe once more: “I do know Carlos effectively. After I began racing in Method 1, he was my teammate, and I do know his value. However he’ll be again. Williams is rising, he’ll carry loads of expertise, and he’ll add one thing vital. You’ll see, he’ll be again with us earlier than you assume.”
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